Spot Anything? - Skin Anomalies Should Be Checked Out ASAP

Unless you have been diagnosed with some type of skin cancer or you know someone who has, you have no idea what that person is dealing with from an emotional standpoint. Cancer is cancer and since your skin covers your entire body, it is of the utmost importance that you regularly check your skin for any type of growths.

Although there are 3 basic types of skin cancer (basal cell, squamous cell and melanoma), each type has its own characteristics. If not on weekly basis, then at least monthly, you need to check your body for any type of growth and watch it. In the vent you notice any type of changes, such as color, size, itching, bleeding, etc, then you need to see a physician immediately.

Only a doctor can determine exactly what it is and suggest the best treatment options that are available. If the doctor has reason to believe that it might be some type of skin cancer, he/she will do a biopsy and send the tissue sample to a pathology lab for microscopic examination. This is the only way to get an accurate diagnosis of what the problem is.

The growth I had on my finger was diagnosed after a biopsy had been taken and the results came back as squamous cell carcinoma. I had a special type of surgery performed to remove it. The surgery was done by a dermatologist, who is specially trained in Moh's surgery.

The surgery is done in two steps. The first step involves removing tissue and checking it under a microscope to see if all of the cancer has been removed. If there is still evidence that there is more cancer, the procedure is repeated until all of the cancer has been removed. When the doctor has determined that the cancer is gone, the next step is to repair the area.

Depending on the size of the area and the depth, there are basically three options. The area may be covered with a bandage, stitches maybe used to close the wound or a skin graft maybe needed, if the area is either large, deep or both.

Since my skin cancer was rather extensive, it involved the entire knuckle area on my finger and wrapped around underneath the finger, the doctor said the only way to repair the site was to do a skin graft. The skin that was used for the graft was taken from just below the clavicle, where I have a scar that is almost six inches long. The graft was sutured to my finger to cover the entire area and there were close to 60 stitches used to secure the graft and cover all of the affected area.

Spot Anything? - Skin Anomalies Should Be Checked Out ASAP
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

3 Types of Skin Cancer - Most Common - What Do You Know About Them?

The three types of skin cancer, most common, are Basal Cell Cancer, Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma, in that order.
Basal Cell Skin Cancer is the worlds most common and affects more than one million people in the US each year. It rarely spreads; it grows slowly and is highly curable in the early stages. Nevertheless, no one should take basal cell cancer lightly as it can be quite disfiguring if not properly treated promptly. Almost all of this type of cancer occurs on body parts most exposed to the sun and is a result of sun damage.
Squamous Cell Skin Cancer is the second most common. It also grows slowly but as it does grow, it can suddenly change to a faster rate. Such was the case with me. When this happens, it can grow inward and can reach vital organs. The growth is usually local and it can affect close organs. Again it is usually caused by sun damage due to overexposure. The sun damaged skin can be unnoticeable; however a person would feel a rough scaly patch on their skin. This is precancerous and can go a long time (years) without much change or noticeable growth. This condition is known as actinic keratosis. It can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. In this precancerous stage it can be removed by a dermatologist spraying liquid nitrogen and freezing the affected area. It is highly curable in the early stages. Mine spread to a stage 3 and it was successfully removed, although more difficult and more damaging in side effects, both short and long term.
Melanoma is the third most common of the types of skin cancer. About 50,000 cases of malignant melanoma are diagnosed in the US every year and the number is increasing. It is estimated that 1 in 70 people will develop melanoma in their lifetime. About 8,000 per year lose their lives to malignant melanoma. It usually develops as a pigmented mole or dark spot on the skin, but can also be pale in color, making it appear innocent. Although it is the most deadly, it is also highly curable in the earliest stages.

The prognosis for malignant melanoma is greater if it has not spread beyond the outer layer of the skin into the lymph nodes or other places in the body.
The best protection would be to avoid over exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds and live a healthy life style for a strong immune system.
Learn to do regular self skin exams to be watching for changes in moles, freckles, or any new occurrence on your skin. It's you who has the first chance to spot it.
To learn more about these 3 common types and other rare types of skin cancer visit the website given below.
Always seek the advice of your doctor, dermatologist or qualified health professional when you see something suspicious happening on your skin.

3 Types of Skin Cancer - Most Common - What Do You Know About Them?
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

A Natural Way to Survive Cancer

I am just like any other person turning fifty; we grew up with the go out in the sun and play mentality, things were easier then and people felt safer, and besides "its good for you" people would say. We didn't give one thought about getting skin Cancer, or any other Cancer for that matter.

Now we find out those painful sunburns we suffered may have caused serious damage to our skin. Experts say if you have been burned as little as three times you are a high risk for skin Cancer. Genes and your environment can also be a factor.

I can tell you first hand I remember having been sunburned on my shoulders several times over the years, as a result, in 2007 I was diagnosed with Melanoma. Just a coincidence or proof the experts know what they are talking about? I like to believe with all the research done over the past few years they have a better understanding of what is going on with the sun and the danger to our skin.
There are many options to fight cancer, you can eat healthier and take a multi vitamin along with a green's based supplement. There is also a lot talk now about Coriolus and Maitake mushrooms and their benefit to Cancer patients. Proteolytic Enzyme's can help with joint pain and soreness. The best part is all these supplements are from all natural ingredients.

I found a very informative health food store owner. I am going to refer to him as the Vitamin Guy; I would urge you to find your own Vitamin Guy where you live. You will definitely get personal service from an informative mom and pop store; they are not pushing what's "on sale" this week. My Guy even wrote out a program specific for my blood type. He has been part of my support team from the beginning when I was first diagnosed. He is a walking encyclopedia, as I like to describe him. He gave me all kinds of literature and samples of various supplements to try.

I had built up a relationship with the Vitamin Guy when my son started playing High School football. I remember seeing this mom and pop Vitamin store in the strip mall near my house. I like to support the small business owner whenever I can. After all small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. I stopped in one day to gather some information for my son and that's when I met the Vitamin Guy. My Guy just doesn't give you the name of a vitamin or supplement and say "here take this", He will give you a full run down of everything he is recommending along with the various ingredients and with the how and why they work or do not work for your specific goals and what you are trying to achieve. When it comes to your diet, vitamins and supplements there is only one person you need to check with to get the right answers to your questions. This is why I put my Vitamin Guy on my support team from the beginning and I feel you should have an expert vitamin Guy too.

A Natural Way to Survive Cancer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Five Signs of Skin Cancer - Identifying Skin Cancer

The five signs of skin cancer are a general guide used in identifying this disease. More often than not, people don't really know what to look for until something drastic and ugly appears on their skin. The biggest concern to look for is always `change`. Change in color, change in shape, change in size, elevation, etc.

Whether you go to a dermatologist or see your primary care doctor, they both will likely tell you the same thing if the condition is precancerous. If you were to have a precancerous basal cell, you may be told to keep an eye on it and be watching for changes. That has been my experience.
Some cancers develop very slowly, but that's not always the case. For example, basal cell usually does not spread, but could. It is usually not aggressive, but could be. It's important to try to recognize spots of concern on your skin while they are precancerous. That precancerous basal cell could develop into basil cell carcinoma without you realizing it.
The five signs of skin cancer guide can be very helpful in raising your awareness of changes taking place on your skin and identifying it in its early stages.
Your better off if you can spot it even before your doctor. Another point worth mentioning is that your primary care doctor is less likely to take it seriously as a dermatologist would. And always let your dermatologist know every detail, including a history of skin cancer in your family.
O K, by now you're probably wondering when I'm going to get to the five signs of skin cancer. So here they are; think of them as an A-B-C-D-E guide.
• A - is for Asymmetry The two halves do not match. Normally freckles and moles do have equal sides. See your doctor if the two sides are not the same.
• B - is for Border Any mole, spot or freckle that has jagged, blurry or undefined and rough edges, See your doctor.
• C - is for Color Usually, normal spots are all one color. If you're seeing more than one hue or the color is changing, becoming lighter or darker, then see your doctor.
• D - is for Diameter Anything larger than a pencil eraser, about ¼ inch or 6mm. Even if it doesn't have any of the other signs, it needs to be checked out by a doctor.
• E - is for Evolving Any mole, freckle or lesion that looks different from the rest or starts changing, itching or elevating, Again, see your doctor.
This guide can be generally used for all types of skin cancer, but I might add that it does not always appear exactly as described in the five signs of skin cancer. Mine did not and it was not recognized by a general physician.
Five Signs of Skin Cancer - Identifying Skin Cancer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

My Stepfather Has Skin Cancer

Research shows it is not all about vanity either, the darker pigment often times promotes self- confidence as well as a feeling of health. I'm not an advocate of tanning beds, never have been, however, I like a nice sun kiss glow too. What I use is a sunless tanning lotion; it provides me with a nice even soft glow without all the harmful effects of the sun's rays.

Sunless tanners provide an alternate way of achieving tanned skin without exposure to ultraviolet rays. A majority of the lotions contain dihydroxyacetone, which is a compound that combines with amino acids in the skin's outer layer to stain the skin a tanned color. Just think about the time and money you could save by utilizing sunless tanners instead of the one shot spray tan or tanning beds. Sunless tanning lotions can be used multiple times and the effects last about a week. The process takes literally 5-10 minutes versus 20-30 minutes lying in a coffin, I mean tanning bed.

Let's not forget to mention the important piece here, the fact that getting sun from a bottle will save you from dealing with skin cancer. You will also reap the benefits of looking healthy, without looking too fried through winter. Come on, no one is supposed to be THAT dark in their Christmas photo. Go for that more natural bronzed look this year and save your skin from years of suffering. For those habitual tanners that feel the need to bake to relieve stress and feel good about themselves, I encourage you to try out a good sunless tanning lotion and find alternative ways to relieve stress, like exercise or playing a sport. Then you get the best of both worlds, a beautiful healthy summer glow and a toned healthy body.

My Stepfather Has Skin Cancer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

What Causes Skin Cancer in Men?

There is no single skin cancer cause. Cancers or malignancies occur after a single cell within a bodily tissue is genetically damaged in ways that allow a cancerous stem cell to form. The stem cell is able to divide and multiply.
Let's investigate this a little further and then look at How to Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer.
A tumor may form. The disease can spread. Some cells acquire the ability to infiltrate surrounding tissues and form new tumors. Some are able to penetrate the walls of the lymphatic system, enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. All of this begins with a single damaged cell.
Things that can damage cellular DNA are sometimes referred to as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. There are many known, probable and possible carcinogens. Thus, there are many causes of malignancies.
The ones mentioned below are by no means the only causes. They are the ones most likely to damage the skin's health, but exposure to any carcinogen could be the underlying skin cancer cause. It would be difficult if not impossible to trace each case back to its cause. Exposure to carcinogens does not always cause a malignancy to form and the exposure could have occurred many years before the malignancy was diagnosed.
Tanning Beds & Sunburn Cause
Tanning beds and sunburn can cause DNA damage. The tanning beds and the sun emit UV radiation. UVA and UVB rays can damage cellular DNA. The underlying mechanism has to do with increased formation and activity of free radicals and reactive oxygen species. Sunscreen has been shown to have the same effect.
Certain sunscreen chemicals produce potentially harmful substances when they are in contact with living cells and exposed to UV rays. So while sunscreen may prevent sunburn, it is also a potential skin cancer cause. Scientists have seen an increase incidence of malignant melanoma among regular sunscreen users.
The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of tanning beds because of the adverse health effects, which include severe sunburn (especially if a person falls asleep in the bed or stays in too long), cataracts, arc eye, immune system suppression and premature aging of the skin, in addition to the bed's potential for contributing to or causing malignancies.
In addition to sunscreen, tanning beds and sunburn, smoking tobacco products may be a skin cancer cause. Some studies show an increased risk of 200% among smokers.
Other causes may include:
**infection with the human papilloma virus or HPV,
**chronic non-healing burns and other wounds,
**genetics,
**arsenic poisoning and
**nutritional deficiencies.
*HPV is associated with malignancies of the cervix, anus, genitals, mouth and fingers. Non-healing wounds can develop into squamous cell carcinoma. *Genetic factors include the presence of moles within six months of birth and having particularly large moles.
*Arsenic salts are known category one carcinogens. People can be exposed to them through work, through contaminated water or through contaminated soil. It is a naturally occurring element.
*Nutritional deficiencies would need to be chronic and would likely involve a lack of antioxidants in the diet. So, tanning beds and sunburn are not the only things we have to worry about.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com